In a speech conducted over radio to the people of Myanmar on the first of February this year, President U Thein Sein announced the establishment of the first Myanmar government-funded international scholarships in over 50 years.
The President’s Scholarship Awards, as these international scholarships are named, will be offered to outstanding Myanmar students wishing to study abroad. The reasoning behind this, Thein Sein told the airwaves, was “so that future generations can have long-lasting educational opportunities, and also study subjects that will benefit the development of the country.”
Encouraging more Myanmar students to study abroad
Myanmar students in any academic field are eligible to apply, with each scholarship covering full tuition fees, as well as living costs such as accommodation, food and travel expenses.
Although announced by the Myanmar government in February, the window for applications has only just opened (29 July) and will remain open until 31 August 31. After this, a shortlisted selection of Myanmar students will be announced in the state-run newspaper and, from there, candidates will be put through s testing process. The finalists will then be chosen by a committee of international experts.
The arrival of these international scholarships follows the collapse of the country’s military-run government in 2011, as Myanmar – formally known as Burma – enters a major governmental transition aiming, among other things, to promote international higher education for Myanmar students. Other governmental efforts include global partnerships and engagements such as the establishment of workshops between Myanmar universities and government officials in both Myanmar and the US.
Myanmar government criticized for stipulation
The Myanmar government’s international scholarships will be offered to Myanmar citizens aged between 16 and 20 who have achieved a score of 500 or more on their matriculation exams, the equivalent of the UK’s A-levels. Awards are also offered to prospective postgraduate and doctorate Myanmar students of any age. To be eligible, candidates must be unmarried and have parents who are also both Myanmar citizens.
These stipulations have received criticism from some, including research coordinator U Tin Maung Than of the Myanmar Development Resource Institute. Speaking to The Myanmar Times, Maung Than stated: “If I had to arrange it, I would set a policy that gives me a broad spectrum of choice. I would not limit the potential candidates… In my opinion, the level of citizenship of their parents is not a valid concern.”
The Myanmar students who win the international scholarships will also be contractually obligated to work in Myanmar government jobs on completion of their studies, for double the length of the period of study. If students decide not to fulfill this side of the contract, they face having to repay three times the amount they received.